Colin Zwirko
@colinzwirko.bsky.social
Analyst at NK News / NK Pro, investigations and analysis about North Korea and satellite imagery, state media, military, Kim family developments etc. https://www.nknews.org/content_author/colin-zwirko
Looks like North Korea's newest destroyer was at Mayang-do naval base on Monday (Planet Labs imagery), a day after its deployment ceremony in Wonsan. Could stay there until construction finishes on a new base. The other destroyer is still at the Nampho bulk cargo port www.nknews.org/2026/09/nort...
Just some absolute sentences from North Korean English lessons (KCTV Aug. 30)
Who are the 3 guys KJU awarded with top honors for "developing new combat weapon systems"? KCNA mentioned "scientists, researchers and officials," but there were only 3 guys. Short answer, not much is known, but some notes: kcnawatch.org/newstream/17...
NK state media didn't report its missile test last week, let's see about today's. Was the No. 52 Kang Kon destroyer involved? it was gone from Rason today, but no Planet image of Wonsan. NK has suggested the ship would hold SRBMs but hadn't done a test launch, then later switched up VLS config
NK News@nknewsorg.bsky.social · 4w agoNorth Korea's latest suspected ballistic missile was 'believed to have already fallen,' according to Japan, suggesting it flew only briefly.
Never seen this naval base at Kumgang be repaved before. often happens at places before KJU visits. just a correlation. sometimes the corvettes are seen here, not the destroyer so far.
This test took place from Sinpho, can see the submarine factory shipyard in the background. So lately it moved from Chongjin Shipyard to Mayang-do at Sinpho for KJU's inspection last month, then up to Rason to dock for a while, now back down to Sinpho/Mayang www.nknews.org/2026/07/kim-...
Strangely, South Korea's JCS did not announce detection of a North Korean ballistic missile test Thursday, while NK claims they launched Hwasong-11D CRBMs. Seems launch was from Ragwon County in S. Hamgyong (39.896586°, 127.874964°). Missiles pointed east and south www.nknews.org/2026/06/nort...
This is seriously fucked. Like for starters they’re using commercial web analytics that are in no way in line with federal privacy disclosure requirements…
Jay Edidin@edidin.bsky.social · 3mo agoso, this is deeply, deeply horrifying thedreydossier.substack.com/p/i-found-a-...
KJU could perhaps achieve a lot if he rounds up the kids and invites Trump over for this performance
Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com · 4mo agoTrump to Xi: "I was particularly impressed by those children. They were happy, they were beautiful. Those children were amazing."
Trump's posts on Iran have gotten progressively worse over the last week (and that's really saying something), from "see you in hell" to "a whole civilization will die tonight." Where are Republicans in Congress? The simplest approx is that they are staying silent because they support this
Looks like the engine testing took place on multiple days, first Planet Labs imagery suggests March 23-26, then changes to the ground under the stand again by the 27th and again 28th, the likely day KJU was there according to activity at the observation stand
NK News@nknewsorg.bsky.social · 5mo agoLittle follow up on this story: the cargo ship is being dismantled (at least the superstructure so far) and now is halfway inside the construction hall where the converted romeo class missile sub was launched a few years ago. Reasons unclear. (Planet Labs image) www.nknews.org/pro/cargo-sh...
This is what Kim Jong Un often says to defend prioritizing the military over quality of life for citizens
Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com · 6mo agoBessent: "I think we have to get the American people and our entire government back in the mindset of there is no prosperity without security"
That's the North Korean leader's young daughter shooting a sniper rifle (buried and printed small on page 4 of the Rodong today)
North Korean munitions industry head Jo Chun Ryong (pretty close to Kim Jong Un) suddenly using a walking cane. Trouble going down the stairs after the congress, the leader's sister Kim Yo Jong helps him out
The top generals who led North Korean troops against Ukraine stood prominently at the 600mm MLRS ceremony 🤔 (Kim Yong Bok, Ri Chang Ho, Cha Yong Bom, Jon Yong Chan) www.nknews.org/2026/02/kim-...
The ceremony was for deploying 50 TELs for the 600mm MLRS. what i thought was a crowd was in the same spot as the 50 TELs www.nknews.org/2026/02/kim-...
Kim Jong Un formally deploys 50 new tactical nuke launchers at ceremony | NK News
This is a developing story. Please check back for update North Korean leader Kim Jong Un officially deployed 50 new launch vehicles for the country’s 600mm multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) at a ce...
nknews.org
Colin Zwirko@colinzwirko.bsky.social · 7mo agobuses still at PPC today midday. maybe a crowd at the congress venue, and more red carpet installed. kinda suggests it didn't start today but can't be sure. maybe some kind of ceremony in the venue parking lot if that's indeed a crowd
Buses taking Party Congress attendees around Pyongyang were parked at People's Palace of Culture on Tues, typical pre-event registration/prep venue Expected Congress venue, April 25 House of Culture, had red carpet installed on the stairs today. Likely to start in next few days! (Planet Labs images
The internet is gonna have a time with these today (Feb. 17 KCNA, Kim Jong Un/wife/daughter open new Hwasong area apartment complex)
Fireworks strips being installed across the Taedong River today (right). My baselining shows this happens 1-2 weeks prior to North Korean military parade. Another indicator that the party congress start date is imminent, considering 2021 congress lasted 8 days and parade was 2 days after.
using a camera attached to the side of a missile for video of this test, but not published for the KCNA photo spread like it has in the past (is that a little streaming indicator, kbps?)
This is in the shadow of the Tower to Waterway Project 물길공사기념탑 in Sukchon County (inaugurated may18, 2012)
Colin Zwirko@colinzwirko.bsky.social · 7mo agoAh, failed to download the one image with the full view earlier. so the exact spot looks like 39°23'39.31"N, 125°40'38.19"E This is the same spot as tests of 240mm MLRS on May 10 and Oct. 8 last year
Known target island off NE coast, North Korea's claim of 258.5 km and ROKJCS saying north Pyongyang bring us to this area. Seems on the highway near some known launchpads, and generally lots of tests from around here (39°24'12.75" N, 125°40'28.33" E) www.nknews.org/2026/01/kim-...
Kim Jong Un claims upgraded nuclear rockets pose ‘grave threat’ to enemies | NK News
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a test of an “upgraded” version of the country’s 600mm multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS) on Tuesday in order to present a “grave threat” to enemies, accordin...
nknews.org
President Lee reacts quickly, calls for investigating the situation. This to me seems like a strange statement. One would expect him to wait some time to gather the facts, then deny it, both if he did or didn't do it. Implies he suspects rogue units did it? www.news1.kr/diplomacy/de...
[속보] 李 대통령 "北의 '무인기 침투' 발표, 철저하게 조사 하라"
사실 앞에 겸손한 민영 종합 뉴스통신사
news1.kr
Colin Zwirko@colinzwirko.bsky.social · 8mo agoNorth Korea is now accusing South Korea of two more recon drone incursions in Sept and last week, both under pro-engagement Lee admin. www.nknews.org/2026/01/nort...
North Korea is now accusing South Korea of two more recon drone incursions in Sept and last week, both under pro-engagement Lee admin. www.nknews.org/2026/01/nort...
North Korea accuses Seoul of drone incursions under Lee administration | NK News
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. North Korea accused South Korea of sending unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) into its airspace on at least two occasions since Sept. 2025, clai...
nknews.org
Read more about the Ryongchon incident here www.nknews.org/2019/01/the-...
The Ryongchon blast: why one of North Korea's worst disasters remains a mystery | NK News
One of the most important events of North Korean history of the 2000s was the Ryongchon catastrophe. It was a massive explosion, which occurred at Ryongchon station, in North Phyongan province, the sa...
nknews.org
Colin Zwirko@colinzwirko.bsky.social · 8mo agoThey say Ryongam and other fictional places are in North Phyongan Province just like Ryongchon really is, but they used what i found is Jaeryong in South Hwanghae as a stand-in
This film is crazy. Does it serve as NK acknowledging the 2004 Ryongchon Station explosion really was an assassination attempt on Kim Jong Il? Really seems they copy that for this film, changing conspicuously to Ryongam Station www.nknews.org/2026/01/viol...
Violent new North Korean film depicting attempt to kill leader airs on state TV | NK News
A violent new North Korean film about a plot to kill the country’s leader aired on state TV for the first time this week, featuring Hollywood-style storytelling and racy content in a propaganda push a...
nknews.org
these dance moves seem like a decade old even in North Korea, but here's their latest example of NK-Pop boy band/girl band dancing for the people at the NYE concert
